Corrugated container



June 6, 1961 P. c. sTRlNE 2,987,236

CORRUGATED CONTAINER Filed June 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1961 P.c. sTRlNE 2,987,236

coRRUGATED CONTAINER Filed June 5, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 2 HQE/17 F163 I5' 23d I PM# f 75:11h, www f y United States Patent() 2,987,236CORRUGATED CONTAINER Philip C. Strine, Chatham, NJ., assignor toInternational Paper Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New YorkFiled June 5, 1959, Ser. No. 818,370 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-34) Thisinvention relates to boxes and more particularly to a paperboard boxconstruction especially well suited for packaging such articles asperishable foods requiring refrigeration.

Considerable diiculty has hitherto been encountered in providing acontainer susceptible of high speed, manufacture and handling and whichis suitable for use in packaging such articles as perishable foodstogether with a refrigerant such as ice. While wood boxes embody to adesired degree the ability to withstand wetting and are characterized bya high degree of wet-strength, they are relatively costly to produce andhandle because of, among other reasons, the diiculty of providing highspeed machinery for automatically forming and erecting them. Paperboardboxes are highly desirable when the required blanks may be readilyformed by high speed machinery and may be shipped liat to conservespace. These blanks are readily erected at the point of use eithermanually or by means of high speed box machinery. However, boxeshitherto made from paper stock with which I am familiar have not provento be entirely satisfactory. One drawback has resided in the failure ofsuch paperboard boxes to have a suiiiciently strong corner constructionso as to be able to resist tearing when Wet to the degree required bymany uses. Another drawback of conventional paperboard boxes resides inthe inability of the side and end walls to support any substantial loadwhen wet.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention a boxis fabricated from paper stock in such a way as to be readily adaptedfor production and erection by high speed mass production machinerywhile at the same time incorporating a substantially reinforced cornerconstruction as well as substantially improved strength to supportloads. Important advantages are achieved in accordance with the presentinvention by forming the end panels and aps of the box blank so thatwhen the box is erected therefrom the end Wall and flap construction issuch as to provide at least two thicknesses of the paperboard around thecorner formed so as to join with and reinforce the adjacent end portionof the side wall of the boxes. The arrangement is such as to providesubstantially improved strength to resist tearing and to support greaterloads even when wet. In accordance with a further important feature ofthe invention, the end Wall is formed so as to provide a pocket for theinsertion of a rigidifying member substantially coextensive with the endwall for providing such strength in the `end walls of the box that it iscapable of supporting substantially the same vertical load as a box madeentirely of such rigid material as wood.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide animproved box fabricated from paper stock which may incorporate woodrigidifying members, which lends itself to manufacture by high speed,mass production methods and which is especially well suited for packingsuch articles as perishable foods together with ice.

Further features, objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings in which FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank fabricated inaccordance with the present invention;

ice

FIGURE 2 is a topvplan View of a box erected from the blank shown inFIGURE 1 and constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are sectional views taken respectively through the lines3 3 and 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are plan views showing successive intermediate stepsin the erection of the box; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing one bottom corner ofthe erected box.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a blank 10 is formed byconventional methods from paper stock which preferably is well knowncorrugated paperboard having a corrugated medium 11 sandwiched betweeninner and outer sheets of paperboard. The blank 10 is formed with fourslots 12 and fold lines 13, -14 which define side panels 15 and endpanels 16. If desired, the paper from which the blank 10 is formed maybe pretreated in a well known manner by impregnating or otherwiseapplying waterproong, Wet-strengthening or moisture-resistantcompositions as is Well known in the art.

Each of the end panels 16 is formed with two closely spaced fold lines17, 17a extending across the blank 10 and terminating at slots 18. Thefold lines 17, 17a divide each of the end panels 16 into what, in theerected box, become outer and inner end wall portions 16a, 16b. Foldlines 20, 20a, 2Gb are formed transversely to fold lines 17, 17a acrosseach of the end panels 16, lengthwise to the blank 10 and define aps 21connected to the ends of the end panels 16. As shown in FIGURE 1, the-fold lines 20 and 20a are somewhat offset from each other and from thefold lines 13 to facilitate formation of the box. The diagonal foldlines 2Gb connect them together. The flaps 21 are each divided by a slot18 and a bridging portion 21a between the fold lines 17, 17a into what,in the erected box, become an outer flap 22 and an inner ap 23. Each ofthe inner iiaps 23 is divided into flap portions 23a and 23h by a foldline 24 which extends from the inner end of the slot 18 and substantialynormal to the fold lines 17, 17a.

In erecting the box 10, the inner aps 23 are folded along the lines 24with the portions 23a over the portions 23b as shown in FIGURE 5. Arigidifying member 26 such as a Wood board or other suitable materialwhich has been precut to t between the fold lines 14, 17a and 20 ispositioned on each of the end wall portions 16a. Then the parts arefolded along the fold lines 17, 17a so that the inner end wall portion16b overlies the outer end wall portion 16a forming a pocket 30 in whichthe member 26 is enclosed between them and with the folded portions 23a,23h of the inner flaps 23 overlying the outer flaps 22 as shown inFIGURE 6.

Then the superimposed inner and outer aps 23, 22 are folded upsubstantially perpendicular to the end walls 16V as shown in FIGURE 7,and at the same time, the side walls `15 are folded up along the foldlines 13 perpendicular to the bottom 19. Now, the two end walls 16 arefolded up along the fold lines 14 and at the same time the ends of theside walls 15 are guided into a space 25 between the inner flap portions23a and the outer iiaps 22 so that the box is now substantially erectedas seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The box is conveniently secured inerected condition by fastening the outer flaps 22 to the side walls 15with stitching staples S seen in FIGURE 2 and from inside the box inFIGURE 3.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 1, the erection of the box 10 may befacilitated by the formation of small diameter holes 28 at each of thecorners of the box formed at the convergence of fold lines 13 and 14with each of the slots 12. These may also act as drain holes for meltedice Water. side walls 15 may be cut away as indicated at 27 in FIG- URES1 and 6 to provide clearance for the bridging por- The upper end edgeportions of thev anexas@ 3 tionszla. Any'suitable'cover may be utilizedwhen one is required.

In order to take advantage of the directional strength of corrugatedpaperboard, the blank is formed so that the corrugations extendlengthwise of the blank Yas viewed in FIGURE l. Thus, when the sidewalls '15 are erected and the box is viewed as in FIGURES 3 and 4, thecor- 'rugations inthe side walls and bottom extend horizontally so as toprovide a maximum degree of lateral strength and resistance to lateralbending, while the corrugations in the end wall and end reinforcingportions 16, 21 extend vertically to withstand the weight of filled andstacked boxes. lf desired the bottom of the box may be reinforced bymeans of wood slats 29 which extend along the outer surface of thebottom 19. These wood slats may be readily affixed by means of gluewhich is preferably waterproof.

The unique nap and double end' wall construction of box 1t? insures aunique degree of strength in the 'box to resist rupture at the cornersand to support a vertical load. When such boxes are packed withperishable food together with ice and then are stacked one on top ofanother to form a relatively high tier in a warehouse or a delivery van,a substantial weight is placed upon the vertical' walls of the lowerboxes. Even in the absence of wood board rigidifying members 26 in theend wall pockets, the construction of box is such that it has a greatlyenhanced degree of strength even when subjected to the adverse elect ofthe moisture formed when the ice melts. When the wood board members 26are in place in the end wall pockets, as is preferred, the Ystrength ofthe box to support vertical loads compares well with that of wood boxeswhile at the same time the drawbacks which normally attend the use ofwood boxes are avoided.

The box is economical to produce because, as seen in FIGURE l, the blankis substantiallyrectilinear in shape so that full use is made of thepaperboard stock with very little trimming and Waste.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognizedthat Various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A paperboard box, comprising a bottom member, a pair of side wallmembers joined with said bottom member along fold lines on oppositesides of said bottom member, a pair of end walls joined with said bottommember along fold lines extending along the opposite ends of said bottommember, each of said end walls being doubled over upon itself along vafold line extending therealong substantially parallel with the end ofsaid bottom thereby forming inner and outer end wall portions, saidinner and outerend wall portionsrespectively merging at each end thereofinto mutually juxtaposed inner and outer flaps extending substantiallynormal to said end wall portions, a bridging portion uniting the innerand outer naps formed at each end of each of said end walls, thejuxtaposed inner and outer aps extending in substantially parallelspaced relation with an end portion of one of said side Walls extendingtherebetween and with said bridging portion extending across the edge ofsaid side wall remote from said bottom member.

2. A paperboard box, comprising a bottom member, a pair of side wallmembers joined withsaid bottom member along fold lines on opposite sidesYof said bottom member, a pair of end walls joined with said bottommember along fold lines extending along theopposite ends `of said bottommember, each of said end walls being doubled over upon itself alongafold line extending therealong substantially parallelwith the end ofsaid bottom lthereby 4forming inner and outer end wall portions, saidinner andouter end wall portions respectively merging at each endthereof into mutually juxtaposed inner and outer iaps extendingYsubstantially normal to said end wall portions, bridging portionsextending substantially normal to said end wall portions and eachintegrally uniting the juxtaposed inner and outer aps, said inner apseach being folded back along itself so that the juxtaposed outer apextends therebeyond, and the inner and outer iaps formed at each end ofeach of said end Walls extending in substantially parallel spacedrelation with an end portion of one of said side Walls extendingtherebetween and with the associated bridging portion extending acrossthe edge of the side wall remote from said bottom member.

3. A paperboard box, comprising a bottom member, a pair of side wallmembers joined withsaid bottom member along fold lines on opposite sidesof said bottom member, a pair of end walls joined with said bottommember along fold lines extending along the opposite ends of said bottommember, each of said end walls being doubled over upon itself along afold line extending therealong substantially parallel with the end ofsaid bottom thereby forming inner and outer end lWall portions, Saidinner and outer end wall portions respectively merging at each endthereof into mutually juxtaposed inner and outer naps extendingsubstantially normal to said end wall portions, bridging portionsextending substantially normal to said end wall portions and eachintegrally uniting the juxtaposed inner and outer aps, said inner flapseach being folded back along itself so that the juxtaposed outer napextends therebeyond, the inner and outer flaps formed at each endVofeach of said end walls extending in substantially parallel spacedrelation with an end portion of one of said side walls extendingtherebetween Vand with the associated bridging portion extending acrossthe edge of the side Wall remote from said bottom member, and fasteningmeans securing each of said outer aps with the end portion of the sidewall juxtaposed thereto.

4. A paperboard box, comprising a one-piece paper member formingintegrally united bottom, side and end wall members with the side andend Wall members extending substantially normal to each other and tosaid bottom member, each of said end wall members having spaced parallelfold lines around which it is folded inwardly back upon itself therebyforming substantially coextensive inner and outer end wall portionsextending in substantially parallel spaced relation and forming a pockettherebetween, a rigidifying member extending in said pocket, said innerand outer end wall portions respectively merging at each end thereofinto mutually juxtaposed inner and outer aps extending substantiallynormal to said end wall portions, said inner aps each being folded backalong itself so that the juxtaposed outer ap extends therebeyond, andthe inner and outer naps formed at each end of each of said end wallsextending in substantially parallel spaced relation with an end portionof one of said side walls extending therebetween.

5. A paperboard box, comprising a one-piece paper member formingintegrally united bottom, side and end wall members with the side andend Wall members extending substantially normal to each other and tosaid bottom member, each of said end wall members having spaced parallelfold lines around which it is folded inwardly back upon itself therebyforming substantially coextensive inner and outer end wall portions,extending in substantially parallel spaced relation and forming a pockettherebetween, a rigidifying member extending in said pocket, said innerand outer end Wallportions respectively merging at each end thereof intomutually juxtaposed inner and outer flaps extending substantially normalto said end wall portions, said inner naps each being folded back alongitself so that the juxtaposed outer ap extends therebeyond, the innerand outer naps formed at each end of each of said end walls extending insubstantially parallel spaced relation with an end portion of one ofsaid side walls extending therebetween, and fastening means extendingthrough each of said outer aps and the end portion of the side walljuxtaposed thereto.

6. A paperboard box, comprising a one-piece paper member formingintegrally united rectilinear bottom, side and end wall members with theside and end wall members extending substantially normal to each otherand to said bottom member, each of said end wall members having spacedparallel fold lines around which it is folded inwardly back upon itselfthereby forming substantially coextensive inner and outer end wallportions extending in substantially parallel spaced relation and forminga pocket therebetween, a rigidifying member extending in said pocket,said inner and outer end wall portions respectively merging at each endthereof into mutually juxtaposed inner and outer flaps extendingsubstantially normal to said end wall portions, said inner flaps eachbeing folded back along itself so that the juxtaposed outer ap extendstherebeyond, the inner and outer naps formed at each end of each of saidend walls extending in substantially parallel spaced relation with anend portion of one of said side walls extending therebetween, mutuallyadjacent corners of said bottom, side and end wall members and saidouter aps being cut away to form an opening through each of the bottomcorners of said box,

and fastening means extending through each of said outer flaps and theend portion of the side wall juxtaposed thereto.

7. A blank for a paperboard box comprising a bottom, sides, and ends,the sides being dened by fold lines lengthwise of the blank, the endsbeing defined by fold lines and slots crosswise of the blank, the endsbeing divided into inner and outer end portions by additional fold linescrosswise of the blank, the inner and outer end portions havingcorresponding inner and outer aps delined essentially by extensions ofsaid lengthwise fold lines, corresponding inner and outer flaps beingunited by a bridging portion dened by the end portions of saidadditional fold lines, the flaps being foldable into engagement withportions of the sides with said side portions positioned between saidaps and with said bridging portions extending about the edges of saidside portions.

8. A blank for a paperboard box, said blank being substantiallyrectilinear in shape and comprising a bottom, sides and ends, the sidesbeing defined by fold lines lengthwise of the blank, the ends beingdeiined by fold lines and slots across the blank, the ends being dividedinto inner and outer end portions by additional fold lines crosswise ofthe blank, said additional crosswise fold lines being in pairs, the foldlines of each pair being spaced to provide a pocket for accommodating arigid member between the folded inner and outer end portions, the innerand outer end portions having inner and outer flaps dened essentially byextensions of said lengthwise fold lines, corresponding inner and outeriiaps being united by a bridging portion deiined by the end portions ofsaid additional fold lines, the flaps being foldable into engagementwith portions of the sides with said side portions extending betweensaid flaps and with said bridging portions extending about the edges ofsaid side portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,136,184 Fellowes NOV. 8, 1938 2,143,308 Flach Ian. 10, 1939 2,864,545Royce Dec. 16, 1958

